Guidance and advice

The Building Standards Division of the Scottish Government has overall responsibility for the Building Standards system in Scotland.

The purpose of the system is to protect the public interest, by ensuring that work on both new and existing buildings results in buildings that meet reasonable standards.

Verifiers

Applications for building warrants must be made to a verifier, who is responsible for providing an independent check. Verifiers are appointed by Scottish Ministers and each local authority has been appointed as verifier for their own geographical area.

• Local authority verifiers

Legislation

Three pieces of legislation support the Building Standards system in Scotland:

• the Building (Scotland) Act 2003
• the Building (Procedure) (Scotland) Regulations 2004
• the Building (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2011

From 01 May 2005, all work requiring a building warrant is approved and inspected under these regulations. The legislation also provides powers of enforcement.

• Enforcement

Before May 2005, the Building (Scotland) Acts 1959 and 1970 were in force. For queries about this repealed legislation, please contact Midlothian Building Standards.

Procedural Handbook

Concise guidance on the procedures to be followed for Building Standards in Scotland is in the Scottish Building Standards Procedural Handbook.

• Procedural Handbook on the Scottish Government website